In the age where we fight for equality, diagnoses like advanced carpal tunnel syndrome don’t refrain from discrimination. Studies from the US Library of Medicine prove that it may not be a biological factor after all, as it has more to do with occupational and life risks than with your genetics.
What Carpal Tunnel Targets
Advanced carpal tunnel syndrome deals with the severity of the compression in the wrist region. Most believe the carpal tunnel is a channel of nerves itself, but is three smaller bones in the wrist. The cause of pain stems from the hand nerves that travel through the bone trifecta and cause pain or numbness. The tunnel itself is where the nerves become pinched and compressed, causing tingling and pain.
It’s not wrong to wonder why carpal tunnel syndrome targets a particular gender, as we all have a carpal tunnel, and we all have the same nerves. Unfortunately, women have smaller carpal tunnels than men, causing a thinner passageway and a higher risk for nerves to become compressed more easily. Different conditions speed up the carpal tunnel process regardless of gender, but most cases are due to occupational hazards.
Carpal Tunnel in Women and Pregnancy
Carpal tunnel is also prominent in pregnant women due to their fluid retention. When the body swells up, the carpal tunnel is more at risk for the nerves pushing together from the pressure of the retention. If the problem persists long after pregnancy, advanced carpal tunnel syndrome diagnostic in Singapore can look deeper into the condition.
A study done by the aforementioned US National Library of Medicine indicated that women who have given birth more than twice or have had a hysterectomy are more at risk for carpal tunnel than anyone else. When it comes to working bodies, men had over twice the percentage of carpal tunnel syndrome than women, all while accounting for a woman’s predisposition to the ailment.
Advanced Stages of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
There are three stages of carpal tunnel syndrome, and anything past the first is not reversible. Beginning stages include the famous tingling symptoms but also include:
- Clumsiness during gripping attempts.
- Issues with finger coordination.
- Weakened grip.
- Pain shooting towards the elbow.
These symptoms usually occur during working hours when the carpal tunnel is irritated. More advanced stages of moderate CTS show these signs outside of the workplace. A weak grip on something as simple as a cup is a sign of moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Progression in difficulty with mundane tasks is an indication to make an appointment with an orthopaedic specialist.
The disease becomes severe when your muscle function has grown worse, showing signs of atrophy. At this point in the disease’s progression, you can no longer feel that area or have severe pain along with numbness. Surgical efforts provide the only treatment for advanced carpal tunnel syndrome.
Take Action for Reversal
Instead of self-diagnosing and waiting for mild symptoms to subside, it’s always best to take care of carpal tunnel syndrome at the earlier stages. Allowing symptoms to continue can cause permanent damage and lifelong suffering. There are more options than surgery when visiting a reputable orthopaedic.
